Atlus announced that the long-awaited Shin Megami Tensei IV will arrive in North America this summer on the Nintendo 3DS.

Shin Megami Tensei IV (SMT IV) marks the latest entry in the main Shin Megami Tensei. It has been about ten years since the last title, Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne came out in 2004. SMT IV was designed specifically for the Nintendo 3DS and will feature graphics optimized for the system. In addition, the game has voiced dialogue, 3-D dungeons and StreetPass functionality.

The story will revolve heavily around the Samurai who are the exalted guardians of Mikado, the Eastern Kingdom. The player will take the role of a new Samurai and navigate through dealings with dangerous and shady factions that have plans to take over the world. Players and a cast of support characters will defend Mikado from an invading demon army.

[adsense250itp]Choices will play a big part in the outcome of SMT IV’s story. Each choice the player makes will have consequences that affect how the fate of the world will play out.

The gameplay in SMT IV will blend elements familiar to the series and add new features unique to the game. Players will explore a full world and discover mysteries that need to be solve. The role of a Samurai is full of terrors and danger, allowing the player to experience how to defend Mikado from its enemies.

Making a return is the trademark demon system boasting over 400 demons to recruit, create and fuse in the game. SMT IV will utilize the Press Turn system where players can exploit enemy weaknesses to earn extra turns. However, enemies can also exploit the player’s weaknesses too, leading to tense and strategic battles.

Atlus is not taking the development of this new game lightly. They tapped strong talent from their pool of developers. The team working on SMT IV previously worked on Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey, Persona and Soul Hackers. After nearly a decade between main series titles, Shin Megami Tensei IV will follow up last year’s popular Persona 4 Golden and Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers available on Apr 16 for the 3DS.

Shin Megami Tensei IV currently has no set release date, but a summer release window. Stay tuned to Gaming Illustrated for more on Shin Megami Tensei IV.

Kalvin Martinez

Kalvin Martinez studied Creative Writing at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He writes reviews, prose and filthy limericks. Currently, he lives in Tustin, California. He is still wondering what it would be like to work at a real police department. Follow Kalvin on Twitter @freepartysubs